Switch mechanism.



. "0;, c. 'L-ARSON; SWITCH MEQHAYNISM. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 7. l9l4.

1,208,583. Patented Dec. 12,1 16.

WITNESSES. I I INVENT R I ATT NE) m: noun; Imus m, mom-Inca. ruminant. n. a

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID C. LARSON, 0F YONKERS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW J ERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

SWITCH MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 12, 1916.

Application filed November 7, 1914. Serial No. 870,731.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID C. LARSON, a citizen of the United States, residing in Yonkers, in the county of Westchester and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Switch Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in contact mechanism more particularly adapted for, use with switch mechanism used in conjunction with electrical circuits such as are subjected to heavy currents.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide switch mechanism comprising contact mechanism of an improved construction and adapted to make and breakat two points, the same being provided with a novel means which effectually draws any existing arc away from the contact mechanism proper, thussafeguarding the latter against any burning action whatsoever.

Another object of the invention is to provide switch mechanism of an improved construction for effecting a wiping contact between certain of the contacts.-

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter, the novel combinations and arrangements of parts being pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 shows a switch in the form of a breaking switch, provided with contact mechanism arranged in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is a side View of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but with the parts shown in actuated position with the switch opened; Fig. 4 is a side view of Fig. 3, taken on the line w-a, in the direction of the arrows b-b. 1

The switch mechanism as a unit which I will designate b the reference letter A, may be supported y any suitable means, as for example a slate 1. The mechanism in detail comprises apair of rocker arms 2,

. 3, which are pivotally supported, independently by pins 4, secured to the slate. Coacting contacts 5, 5 may form an integral part of the rocker arms 2 and 3, respectively, these contacts being so arranged as to efi'ect a quick make and break. These contacts further than serving as a current carrying medium, serve also as stops, as will be hereinafter pointed out. Coacting contacts 6, 6 may form an integral part of the rocker arms 2, 3, respectively,these contacts being so arranged as to slidably engage and disengage each other. Now with this arrangement it will be noted that'I have provided a two point make and break switch, with the make and break at one point being instantaneous, and at the other point by sliding engagement and disengagement. In the way of preventing arcing between the faces of the contacts, 6, 6, I have associated therewith, laterally projecting fingers, such as 7, 7, these fingers intermeshing when the contacts are closed as indicated in Fig. 1.

Interposed between fixed brackets 8 and the rocker arms, are springs 9, 9, which urge the rocker arms toward each other and thus keep the contact mechanism in firm electrical engagement, with the contacts 5, 5 limiting such movement of the said arms. The spring 9 as will'be noted, is made somewhat heavier than the spring 9 for a purpose hereinafter pointed out.

The rocker arm 2 is in the form of a bell crank, the same being provided with arms 10 carrying a pin 11, which supports a roller 12, the latter being preferably a non-' conductor, such as hard rubber or the like. This roller is adapted after being actuated a predetermined amount, to engage a roller 13 associated with the arm 3, and thus rock the latter.

In operating the switch mechanism from its initial position as illustrated in Fig. 1, to the position illustrated in Fig. 2, the roller 12 is actuated from any suitable medium, thus rocking the arm 2 in an anticlockwise direction. The lever 3 will likewise follow up this movement of the lever 52, being urged in such movement bythe action of the spring 9. This follow up movement of the lever 3 takes place until the engagement of the roller 12 with the roller 13, whereupon the arm 3 is then rocked in a direction opposite to its initial movement, or in a clockwise direction. Now in the operation just explained, it will be seen that a I of the arm 3 relatively with the arm 2. This sliding engagement is effected until the roller 12 strikes the roller 18, whereupon a quick break results. Now in the case of an existing arc, the same will be effectually drawn by the fingers 7, 7, and in this manner the contact mechanism proper is safeguarded against any burning effect whatsoever. Furthermore by reason of the sliding engagement between the contacts 6, 6, the contact faces thereof are at all times kept clean and free from any foreign matter. Upon releasing the roller 12, the heavier spring 9 overcomes the action of the spring 9, and effects first a closing of the contacts (5, 6 which are caused to slidably engage each other during the return movement of the rocker arm to their normal positions, such movement of the arms being finally arrested by the engagement of the contacts 5, 5, and the parts attaining the position as illustrated in Fig. 1.

Without limiting myself to the precise details of construction and arrangement of parts as herein shown and described, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. A switch comprising contact mechanism, a pair of rocker arms carry ng the contact mechanism, springs for urging the arms toward each other with unequal pressure, a roller carried by one arm and located below the pivot thereof, and an additional roller carried by the other arm and located in the path of movement of the first named roller.

2. A switch comprising a pair of coacting contacts, pivoted arms carrying the con tacts, said arms normally inclining toward each other to close the contacts, a roller carried by one of the arms located below the pivot thereof, and an additional roller on the other arm located above the pivot thereof, and in the path of movement of the first named roller.

3. A switch comprising a pair of coacting contacts, a pair of pivoted arms carrying the contacts, a spring for urging the contacts toward each other to close the said contacts, a roller carried by one of the arms located below the pivot thereof, and a roller on the other arm located above the pivot thereof and in the path of movement of the first named roller.

4. A switch comprising a two point make and break contact mechanism, a pair of rocker arms carrying the said contact mechanism, springs for urging the arms toward each other with unequal pressure, and a roller carried by each arm, the roller carried by the arm with the strongest spring being adapted to be actuated to actuate the other arm.

5. A switch comprising a two point make and break contact mechanism, a pair of pivoted arms carrying the said contact mechanism, springs for urging the arms toward each other with unequal pressure, a roller carried by one of the arms and located below the pivot thereof, and an additional roller on the other arm located above the pivot thereof and in the path of movement of the first named roller.

6. A switch comprising a pair of coacting contacts, pivoted arms carrying the said contacts, springs acting with unequal pressure adapted to urge the arms toward each other to close the contacts, additional coacting contacts on the said arms adapted to engage each other in a manner to limit the movement of the said arms toward each other, a roller carried by one of the arms, located below the pivot thereof, and a roller carried by the other arm, located above the pivot thereof and in the path of movement of the first named roller.

7, A switch comprising a pair of pivoted roller arms, coacting contacts formed integrally with the said arms, springs acting with unequal pressures adapted to urge the arms toward each other to close the contacts, rollers carried by the arms and located in position to engage each other after the initial operation of one of the rollers, to cause the contacts to separate.

8. A switch comprising a pair of pivoted rocker arms provided with contact mechanism arranged to make or break at two points, springs acting with unequal pressures for urging the arms toward each other, rollers carried by said arms to actuate the same in a predetermined order.

9. A switch comprising a pair of pivoted rocker arms, springs acting with unequal pressures adapted to urge the arms toward each other, contact mechanism carried by the said arms arranged to make and break at two points, certain of the contacts being adapted to electrically engage each other to limit the movement of the said arms toward each other, and means carried by said arms adapted to actuate the arms, to initially cause compression of the stronger spring and extension of the weaker.

10. A switch comprising a pair of pivoted rocker arms, a pair of co-acting contacts formed integrally with the said arms, springs for urging the arms toward each other with unequal pressure, additional contacts formed integrally with the said arms adapted electrically to engage each, other so.

as to limit the movement of the said arms toward each other, and rollers carried by said arms so located as initially to cause compression of the stronger spring and permit extension of the spring, and then compression of both springs.

11. A switch comprising a pair of pivoted rocker arms, a pair of coacting' contacts formed integrally with the said arms,

10 other arm located above the pivot thereof and in the path of movement of the first named roller.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

DAVID c. LARSON.

Witnesses:

WALTER C. STRANG, ERNEST L. GALE, Jr.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0. 

